23 Tanzanians arrested over alleged illegal fishing in Kenyas Indian Ocean

Twenty three Tanzanians have been arrested in Malindi, Kilifi County in the past one week for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in Kenya’s territorial waters in Indian Ocean.

According to Kilifi assistant county commander Karung’o Kamau, the Tanzania nationals who were reportedly  operating without a license are being questioned by the authorities.

“In the past one week we have rounded up 23 Tanzanians for fishing in Kenya’s territorial waters illegally. They were taken to court, fined and later released,” said Kamau.

Kamau further indicated that fishermen from Tanzania and Pemba Island have been fishing illegally at the expense of locals.

This comes after a Tanzanian court auctioned 13,000 cows for Ksh. 93 million belonging to Kenyan Maasai’s that had been confiscated for grazing across the border on October 31.

In a quick rejoinder,Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed on November 8 wrote a protest letter to Tanzania over the issue.

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli on November 8 however defended his administration’s actions saying that his government will continue to confiscate foreign cattle trespassing the border.

Story by Wanje Zomolo